he's a 6 actually, but would go well on the wing or fullback for the next couple of years.

Until Watkins returns there's absolutely no reason to change anything plus if smithy can get settled in either centre role then there's no need for it to be short term imo.
If Webby is leaving next season could easily see our backs line up as ..
Bjb ,Hall ,Watkins ,Smith ,Hardaker.
The cover would come from Abblett ,Delaney and hopefully the likes of Chisolm ,Wilson and co will be ready to step in.
There's also the possibillity that we will sign another centre then that leaves some depth out wide and competition for spots.
At this moment though the backs have a confident game to build on and it also has options when everyone is fit.

I said the same yesterday about hardaker possibly being a stand off in the long term, hes pretty hard to tackle, has good feet, and awareness, and is always looking to pass, im happy for him to stay on the wing though for now.

I agree that a backline of Bjb, Hall, Watkins,Smith, Hardaker has great potential although still not convinced about Smith as a centre and how they would measure up against a top side. However I think to help develop them we need a quality centre from the NRL in 2012 if salary cap limits allow. The experience provided will be invaluable. Matt Cooper's name has been mentioned but that's probably just wishful thinking. There seems to be a lot of support for this addition and hopefully the sleeve willl provide the goods!

Either Leeds back Watkins or they don't. we can't keep on looking for short-term solutions - Senior for another year or some ageing NRL has-been. Watkins will only get experience by playing.

Smith is a talented player, he just needed a run of games to getting himself back into form.

Ablett and especially Delaney should be kept in the forwards as much as possible surely ? Having them as first choice back up is a baaadddd idea. BJB and Watkins appear too prone to injury for that.
You seem to be back to your optimistic, positive best

Unsuprisingly ?



I know exactly what you were getting at.....I chose to ignore your point. This is a forum for expressing ideas, thoughts and opinions. No more.

IF it was actually my job and responsibility I would contemplate the same ideas, thoughts and opinions but be a little more careful before implementing any changes.

They'd only be 1st choice back up mate until the acadamy lads were deemed ready to step straight in or we signed another Centre/Wing.
I do like to be a "glass half" approach type of fan but if you read my post HKR match comments i'm not fooled either.

A word of caution Hull KR were just about the poorest side we have faced this year - it would have been difficult not to look good against them. It will be interesting to see how they go against either Wigan or Catalans.

This.

Also, if Hardaker is seen as a 6 long-term, then while I have no problem with him staying on the wing for now, I think it would be wise to give him at least some spells in matches there from an early stage.

Smith is a talented player but has, IMO, suffered for not really finding a position to hold his own. For my money that position should be full back, but now the competition from BJB might make that tricky even once Webb goes.

He's elusive, a good finisher, deceptively powerful and has a decent reading of the game. The ingredients for a good centre are there, but if he's going to make that transition he needs to play there for a number of weeks.

Why do you say this?

Where have his game's been at Leeds and Fev?

Anything come to light (Re Hardaker's preferred playing position) since the last time this was discussed? viewtopic.php?f=17&t=494815&start=75

Anything come to light (Re Hardaker's preferred playing position) since the last time this was discussed? viewtopic.php?f=17&t=494815&start=75

Quote ="tvoc"Anything come to light (Re Hardaker's preferred playing position) since the last time this was discussed? viewtopic.php?f=17&t=494815&start=75'" I doubt it. He's certainly not featured in a 6 jersey since that thread. I just wondered why Bats was so definitive that the lad was a 6. If it's because he played some amateur rugby there then, so did I. I think my Cummins analogy in that thread was nailed on.

Quote ="tvoc"Anything come to light (Re Hardaker's preferred playing position) since the last time this was discussed? viewtopic.php?f=17&t=494815&start=75'" I doubt it. He's certainly not featured in a 6 jersey since that thread. I just wondered why Bats was so definitive that the lad was a 6. If it's because he played some amateur rugby there then, so did I. I think my Cummins analogy in that thread was nailed on.

He was a 6 in Junior rugby, and I take your Cummins analogy. The kid can play 6, but isn't ready yet to do so in a team like Leeds where there is so much expectation. Daryl Powell played him on the wing (and fullback which most teams play like 6) at Fev to introduce him gently. You do know how many games he played for Fev before he signed for Leeds don't you?

Watch him play, the vision he has, pace, sidestep. With time and maturity he could play 6 for Leeds. Comfortably.

Agree with the above and I also think senior will be around next year. Weather we agree or not I can see him getting offered a 1 yr deal.

not to sure senior will be around next year lad i work with plays for a team in
fartown that senior coached last year and word is he's looking for a new club
would think if he stopped it wont be at maybe filling in at secondrow
i also think its time we started working to the future and i think we can all agree
senior might have 1 season max left and how long will the young players hang around playing bit parts till they get full first team rugby when there all fit

From what I've heard if Senior gets a 1 year contract offer from the Rhinos it will not be as a centre but to play in the second row. He might refuse and move on. There are strong rumours of a new centre to be signed but no names! This will add experience and competition to our back-line.

Don't get me wrong, I like what I've seen.

I'm not sure his future is even at full back with Leeds yet, with BJB around, let alone 6.

That said he has shown the attributes you mentioned and he finishes in the corner like a class winger.

Bats, you are spot on with this debate. Interestingly I was sat speaking with a few of the academy lads at Sundays game, and a couple of them commented that Hardaker had "Stand off" written all over him.

His play and footwork is very much a number 6. Nothing wrong with learning on the wing until the time comes, and would also question whether nor not he has a kicking game, don't know if anyone knows?

Jason Robinson was a scrum half you know.

...and Karl Pratt was a Stand Off

& Jimmy Lowes was a scrum half too

..... And Harvey Howard was a winger. Hardaker for prop?

For me I wouldn't particulary want to see senior I the centre next year and i think we have enough cover already in Sr but I think he might still be here next year.